The Girls' Brigade International Council
 

Northern Ireland

General Information  
Area 13,483 Sq.Km / 5,206 Sq.Miles
Population 1.7 million
Currency 1 Pound Sterling = 100 pence
Capital Belfast
Time
Government Democracy
GMT
Head of State Queen Elizabeth II
Languages English is the official language  
Religions Christian
Major Industries Agriculture, engineering, shipbuilding and manufacturing
     

Geography
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and is situated in the north eastern portion of Ireland, 80km (50mi) to the west of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is also known as Ulster, because it comprises six of the nine counties that constitute the province of Ulster. Northern Ireland is a place of great natural beauty with soft undulating hillsides, beautiful coastal scenery and long stretches of safe, sandy beaches. One of the most famous attractions is the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, a natural rock formation of 40,000 huge basalt columns. At the centre of Northern Ireland lies Lough Neagh (381 sq.km/147 sq.miles), the largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom. The highest point in the country is Slieve Donard (852m/2,796 ft), a peak in the Mourne Mountains.
 
Climate
Northern Ireland's climate is warm and temperate, with mild winters, very little snow, and warm summers. It tends to be breezy, with sudden changes from cloudy to sunny skies and vice versa.
 
Wildlife
Foxes and badgers are the most common native land mammals, but there are also hares, hedgehogs, squirrels, shrews, bats and red deer. Otters, stoats and pine martens are found in remote areas. Many migrating birds roost in Ireland, and there are still a couple of native species lurking about such as corncrakes and choughs.
 
 

The Girls' Brigade
 

Structure :

CHURCH
  
 
COMPANY
  
CHAPLAIN
  
CAPTAIN
  
LIEUTENANTS
  
SUB-OFFICERS
  
 
ASSOCIATES
  
BRIGADERS
  
 
SENIORS
  
JUNIORS
  
EXPLORERS
  
 
DISTRICT
  
DIVISION
  
NATIONAL COUNCIL
  

 
Age Groups : The sections within The Girls' Brigade are as follows:
  Explorers under 8 years
  Juniors 8 - 10 years
  Seniors 11 - 13 years
  Brigaders 14 - 18 years

 

 Associates 19+ years
 

Uniform :

Explorers Explorers wear a long sleeved red jersey, navy tunic, white kneesocks and white slippers.
  Juniors Juniors wear a white open neck short-sleeved blouse, navy tunic, navy v-neck sweatshirt with metal section badge, white kneesocks and black shoes (or white slippers with white ankle socks if worn by entire section).
  Seniors Seniors & Brigaders wear a white open neck short-sleeved blouse, navy straight skirt, navy v-neck sweatshirt (with metal section badge for Seniors and Brigaders or yellow piping on sleeve seams for Sub-Officers), black tights and black shoes.
  Brigaders
  Officers Officers wear a navy suit, white open neck short-sleeved blouse, black tights and black shoes.
 

Badge Work : A wide choice of subjects is offered under the headings of Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Service. The programme aims to help members of the organisation develop to their full potential attaining spiritual, physical, mental and social maturity.
  Explorers The programme is designed to guide Explorers in their exploration as they grow. Explorers work for the Explorer Star Award.
  Juniors Girls work for four subjects each year. One Circle Award is awarded on the completion of four subjects, one from each section: Spiritual, Physical, Educational, Service
  Seniors Seniors also work for Circle Awards and like Juniors, may gain one each year.
  Brigaders Girls work for the Brigader Brooch which is awarded on gaining 40 points from the Brigader Programme over a minimum three year period. At least 6 points must be from each section of the programme.
  Associates Associates may choose their own programme from the Brigader syllabi, and should act as a support group to the Company.
Older girls have the opportunity of working for the Queen's Award and the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
 
National President : Miss Pearl Hassard
 
WEB SITE : www.gbni.co.uk